MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War
“The nine principles of war provide
general guidance for the conduct of
war....They are the enduring bedrock of
Army doctrine.”
FM 3-0, 2001
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War
BACKGROUND



Sun Tzu, Miltiades, Antoine Henri Jomini

Exploring early principles in theory and practice
J.F.C. Fuller

First detailed enumeration of principles of war in 1916
Nine American principles of war

First published and outlined in 1921 Training Regulations No.
10-5

First clarified in 1923 Infantry Journal articles

First officially defined in 1949 FM 100-5

Placed in FM 3-0

Continuing foundation of Army doctrine
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War
1. OBJECTIVE
2. OFFENSIVE
3. MASS
4. ECONOMY OF FORCE
5. MANEUVER
6. UNITY OF COMMAND
7. SECURITY
8. SURPRISE
9. SIMPLICITY
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

OBJECTIVE:
Direct every military operation toward a clearly defined,
decisive, and attainable goal.
Objective summarized:
Historical example:
Destroy enemy armed forces  Union MG Hooker’s “plan
of campaign”
Destroy enemy will to fight
Attain intermediate objectives:
Seize key terrain, LOCs, etc.
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

OFFENSIVE:
Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative.
Offensive summarized:
Historical example:
Seize and hold initiative
Confederate GEN Lee’s
adoption of the offensive
Retain freedom of action
Achieve decisive results
Adopt defensive temporarily
Use offensive-defensive
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

MASS:
Mass the effects of overwhelming combat power at the
decisive place and time.
Mass summarized:
Historical example:
 Synchronize combat power
Union MG Hooker’s
turning movement
 Strike with a closed fist
 Mass effects vice just
forces
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

ECONOMY OF FORCE:
Employ all combat power available in the most effective
way possible; allocate minimum essential combat power to
secondary efforts.
Economy of force summarized:
Historical example:
Give all forces a purpose
Confederate MG
Early’s delaying
action
Act in concert
Use delays, defense, etc.
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

MANEUVER:
Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage
through the flexible application of combat power.
Maneuver summarized:
Historical example:
Gain positional advantage
Union MG Hooker’s
turning movement
Designate and shift main
effort
Reject predictable patterns
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

UNITY OF COMMAND:
For every objective, seek unity of command
and unity of effort.
Unity of command summarized:
Historical example:
Designate one responsible
commander
Union MG Hooker’s
reorganization of
the AOP
Ensure unity of effort
Designate one common
objective
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

SECURITY:
Never permit the enemy to acquire
unexpected advantage.
Security summarized:
Historical example:
Protect the force
Union MG Hooker’s
intelligence/counterintelligen
ce reorganization
Know the enemy’s habits
Take necessary,
calculated risks
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

SURPRISE:
Strike the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is
unprepared.
Surprise summarized:
Historical example:
Employ speed, deception,
OPSEC, etc.
Confederate LTG
Jackson’s flank march
Use timing, temp, etc.
Seek even partial surprise
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
The Principles of War

SIMPLICITY:
Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and concise orders to
ensure thorough understanding.
Simplicity summarized:
Historical example:
 Use simple plans
Confederate LTG Jackson’s
plan for enveloping Union
right
 Use clear, concise orders
 Recognize that simple is
often difficult
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Conclusion

LIMITATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLES OF
WAR:
Not prescription, formula, recipe,
or checklist!
May be followed or violated and
either win or lose!
Guidelines only!
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Rules of Engagement &
Law of Land Warfare
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Bases of Roe
Law
ROE
Mission
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
Policy
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Rules of Engagement



Based on Foreign Policy, Law of War, and
Military Objectives
Tend to be more restrictive that Law of War
Designed to provide soldiers a ‘framework’ to
guide their decisions in combat
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Rules of Engagement
Definition: Directives issued by competent
superior authority that delineate the
circumstances and limitations under which US
forces will initiate and/or continue engagement
with other forces
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Where can I find ROE?



Annex E (Rules of Engagement) of an
Operation Order this detailed ROE will be in 5
paragraph format
ROE cards usually given to all soldiers in a
combat zone
Paragraph 3 (Execution) Coordinating
Instructions of the base order
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Law of War
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Customary Laws of War

Centuries of warfare resulted in these
unwritten codes

General Purpose: Limit Suffering and
Provide Humane treatment for those taken
out of the fight
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Hague and Geneva Conventions
Hague Convention of 1907 and Geneva convention of 1949
were an effort by countries of the world to reduce customary
laws of war to written, accountable form. The United
States signed each of these documents and solemnly
pledged to observe all provisions of these treaties.
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Laws of War
1. We will not inflict unnecessary destruction or suffering
2. We will treat prisoners of war, captured or detained
personnel, and civilians humanely.
3. We will not obey orders whose execution are in violation
of the laws of war.
4. We are responsible for our unlawful acts
5. We are entitled to humane treatment if captured
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Medical Personnel

Military medics:

Medical personnel engaged in search for, care of
transport of wounded or sick.

Staff engaged in administration of med units

Chaplains

Red Cross staff or other voluntary aid
organizations
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Medical Protected Status
Medical property, material, and equipment has a protected
status under Geneva Conventions. This includes vehicles,
aircraft, and buildings.
Marked with: Red Cross on white background
Red Crescent
Red Lion and Sun on white background
Israel uses Star of David (not Geneva
Convention)
Loss of Status: Medical equipment employed in acts
harmful to the opposing belligerent
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Prohibited Weapons

Weapons which cause unnecessary suffering

All Army issue weapons and ammunitions are tested to
meet this standard

Cannot alter ammunition to cause more suffering

No use of Poison

U.S. Will use chemical weapons only as reprisal
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Treachery and Illegal Tactics

No improper use of flag of truce, National Flags, uniforms
and insignia of the enemy.

Fine line separates use of spies and illegal conduct.

One may not feign surrender to gain an advantage on
enemy

Must not hide behind medical symbols
Rev. 2 Dec 2005
MSL 302,
301 Lesson 2
Case Study



WO1 Thompson at My Lai
Personal courage—whether physical, moral, or a combination of the two—may be
manifested in a variety of ways, both on and off the battlefield. On March 16, 1968
Warrant Officer (WO1) Hugh C. Thompson, Jr. and his two-man crew were on a
reconnaissance mission over the village of My Lai, Republic of Vietnam. WO1
Thompson watched in horror as he saw an American soldier shoot an injured
Vietnamese child. Minutes later, when he observed American soldiers advancing on
a number of civilians in a ditch, WO1 Thompson landed his helicopter and
questioned a young officer about what was happening on the ground. Told that the
ground action was none of his business, WO1 Thompson took off and continued to
circle the area.
When it became apparent that the American soldiers were now firing on civilians,
WO1 Thompson landed his helicopter between the soldiers and a group of 10
villagers who were headed for a homemade bomb shelter. He ordered his gunner to
train his weapon on the approaching American soldiers and to fire if necessary.
Then he personally coaxed the civilians out of the shelter and airlifted them to
safety. WO1 Thompson’s radio reports of what was happening were instrumental in
bringing about the cease-fire order that saved the lives of more civilians. His
willingness to place himself in physical danger in order to do the morally right thing
is a sterling example of personal courage.
Rev. 2 Dec 2005